Committee of the Whole

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

same as above

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2004- 11-16

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Ward Boundaries

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Report of the Town Clerk, dated November 16, 2004, be received.

 

PURPOSE:

To apprise Members of Council of the population variances in the current ward boundaries and to provide information on the revision process.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Town of Markham’s current eight ward system was adopted in 1997, following the routine public process for revision, including an Ontario Municipal Board hearing.  Growth in the Town of Markham has caused some inequities in representation by population.  The geographic areas of the wards vary significantly and the wards with the highest populations also are the largest geographically.  The following chart provides the statistics on ward geographic areas.

 

 

Markham Ward Boundaries

Geographic Areas

                                                                Km^2                     Hectares                                Acres

Ward 1 -                                9.9                          991.0                                      2447.9

Ward 2 -                                10.9                        1090.3                                   2692.9

Ward 3 -                                29.0                        2904.2                                   7173.4

Ward 4 -                                34.3                        3430.7                                   8474.0

Ward 5 -                                58.2                        5819.5                                   14374.2

Ward 6 -                                43.9                        4386.9                                   10835.7

Ward 7 -                                10.4                        1041.2                                   2571.8

Ward 8 -                                15.7                        1570.6                                   3879.4

 

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Population Projections

In 2003, Ward 8 accounted for the lowest percentage of total population at 8.32% and Ward 3 accounted for the highest percentage at 17.44%.  Projecting to 2012 exacerbates the situation OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:  (cont’d.)

with Ward 8 accounting for only 7.01% of the total population and Ward 3 representing 20.55%.  Other areas of concern are Wards 1 and 2 with only 9.90% and 9.87 of total population by the year 2012. 

                                                                                                                                    Change

Ward               2003        %       2006    %       2009       %     2012     %               2003 – 2012

  1                    28650     12.47  28300   11.63   27700   10.86  27400    9.90              -1250

  2                    24500     10.67  25100   10.31   26150   10.25  27300    9.87               2800

  3                    40050     17.44  44800   18.41   48100   18.85  56850   20.55           16800

  4                    31100     13.54  34900   14.34   38100   14.93  41800   15.11           10700

  5                    32000    13.93  34450   14.16   37100   14.54  40650   14.69              8650

  6                    24150     10.52  26100   10.73   27100   10.62  29400   10.63              5250

  7                    30100     13.11  31000   12.74   32200   12.62  33850   12.24              3750

  8                    19100       8.32  18700     7.68   18700     7.33  19400     7.01                300

 

Average Population by Ward

2003                            2006                            2009                            2012

28706                          30419                          31894                          34581 

 

Average % of Population by Ward:  12.5

The source for the projected population growth is the 2004 Development Charges Background Study.  The numbers are rounded to the nearest fifty.  Appendix A is a graph illustrating projected population growth from 2003 to 2012.

 

Electoral Projections

In 2003, Markham’s population was 229,650 and there were 157,810 electors.  Projected electors in this report are based on the current percentage of electors to projected populations, ward by ward.  If no revisions are made, there will be a variance in 2012 in the number of electors in Ward 8 of 16,296 to 40,477 in Ward 3.

                                                                                                                                    Change

Ward   2003        %       2006      %        2009       %         2012           %                2003 – 2012

  1        18,769    11.89   18,537   11.12   18,144    10.41    17,947      9.50               -    822

  2        16,921    10.72   17,319   10.39   18,044    10.35    18,837      9.97                  1916

  3        28,511    18.07   31,898   19.13   34,200    19.62    40,477    21.42               11966

  4        15,538      9.85   17,450   10.47   19,050    10.92    20,900    11.06                  5362

  5        21,672    13.73   23,323   13.99   25,117    14.41    27,520    14.55                  5848

  6        17,749    11.25   19,184   11.51   19,919    11.42    21,609    11.43                  3860

  7        22,614    14.33   23,281   13.97   24,182    13.86    25,421    13.45                 2807

  8        16,036    10.16   15,708     9.42   15,708      9.01    16,296      8.62                    260

 

Average Number of electors by ward 

2003                            2006                            2009                            2012

19726                          20837                          21793                          23626

 

Average % of Electors by Ward:    12.5

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION: (cont’d.)

The Municipal Act, 2001 stipulates that the Minister may prescribe regulations establishing guidelines for establishing or re-dividing ward boundaries but that has not been done.  However there is an accepted criterion that is based upon former Ministry guidelines and experience.

 

Criteria for Establishing

Or Re-Dividing

Ward Boundaries

The council of a municipality in dividing or re-dividing a municipality into wards for the purpose of election shall have regard to the following:

1.             Boundaries of wards shall be established so that the number of electors in each ward shall be, as near as possible, the average number of electors calculated by dividing the total number of electors in the municipality by the number of wards.

2.             The number of electors in any ward may vary from the average number of electors calculated in (1) where the municipal council is of the opinion that the variance is necessary or desirable because of:

·      The presence or absence of a community of interest

·      Means of communication and accessibility

·      Topographical features

·      Populations trends, or

·      Special geographical considerations including the scarcity, density or relative rate of growth or

                             loss of population

 

Appendix B contains current maps and information on each of the existing eight wards that illustrate the natural boundaries and points of interest.  Recommendations for ward boundary changes should be the product of application of the above criteria.

 

Current legislation on the revision or re-dividing of wards can be found in Appendix C.  Essentially, municipalities are required to hold at least one public meeting to consider a proposal to re-divide ward boundaries.  Notice of the passing of the by-law is required providing a specified time for appeal.  The Ontario Municipal Board would hear appeals and make an order affirming, amending or repealing the by-law.  Revised wards would take effect for the subsequent election.

 

Appendix D is a gant chart that has been prepared mapping the process for a revision to the ward boundaries.  It includes the potential for an Ontario Municipal Board hearing, while assuring approval by January 1, 2006 which is the first day for registering as a candidate in the 2006 municipal election. 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None other than staff resources.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

None

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheila Birrell,

Town Clerk.

 

Andy Taylor,

Commissioner of Corporate Services